-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Peru 's ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu should reopen April 1 , more than two months after rain stranded hundreds of tourists at the popular spot , the government said .

Heavy rain in January unleashed mudslides that cut off roads and blocked a rail line between Machu Picchu and the nearby city of Cusco .

Water levels at the Vilcanota River have receded enough to allow repairs to the rail line , said Martin Perez , head of Peru 's Ministry of Exterior Commerce and Tourism .

`` We expect that starting April 1 , we will start to receive the millions of tourists who always have come , '' he said Tuesday .

Peruvian officials were forced to use helicopters to evacuate more than 1,000 stranded tourists last month .

Authorities estimated that 10,000 people were affected by the rain and 2,000 homes were ruined near Machu Picchu . At least seven deaths were reported .

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Peru 's ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu should reopen April 1 , tourism official says

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Heavy rain in January unleashed mudslides that cut off roads and blocked a rail line

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Peruvian officials evacuated more than 1,000 stranded tourists